St. Louis, MO Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)

Long-term rental of an ADU in St. Louis is permitted in zones that allow ADUs under SLRC Title 26, subject to the Building Division Occupancy Permit requirement (SLRC Title 25) for each unit. Short-term rentals — stays under 30 days — are regulated separately by SLRC Chapter 11.55, the Short-Term Rental Ordinance enacted by Ordinance 71596 in 2021. The ordinance requires every short-term rental operator to obtain a Short-Term Rental Operator Permit from the City, identify a local responsible-party contact, and certify compliance with health, safety, fire, and zoning rules. STR permits are processed by the Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Collector of Revenue. STR operators must collect and remit: the 3.5% Convention and Tourism Tax to the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission; the 4.225% Missouri state sales tax; and the applicable local sales tax. Local Historic Districts (Lafayette Square, Soulard, Central West End, etc.) may impose additional STR restrictions through district guidelines reviewed by the Cultural Resources Office and Preservation Board. Recorded deed restrictions in some condo regimes also limit STR use independent of the citywide rules.